“You're just a contract wife!” Harry Anderson's words cut deep. Trapped in a loveless marriage to save her family, Arabella fights for warmth from a scarred CEO who despises her. Can love bloom in a prison of pain?
View MoreThe civil registry office was quiet that morning, filled only with the sound of footsteps echoing against the cold marble floor and the occasional murmur of officials speaking in a formal tone. The air smelled of paper, ink, and aged wood, mixed with faint traces of perfume from those who had come to settle important matters of their lives.
The registrar, a middle-aged man with thick glasses, opened his official record book. He looked at the couple before him with a professional smile, seemingly oblivious to the tension between them.
“Mr. Harry and Miss Arabella, before we proceed, I will explain the steps we will take together. This ceremony is brief, but its meaning is profound,” he spoke calmly but firmly.
Arabella swallowed hard, her hands clasped tightly together. She stole a quick glance at Harry, who remained staring straight ahead, his jaw clenched.
“First, I will read the legal articles regarding marriage. It is important that you both understand your rights and responsibilities as husband and wife,” the registrar continued, shuffling through a stack of documents on the table.
Harry gave a slight nod, uninterested in saying much. Meanwhile, Arabella took a deep breath, trying to come to terms with the reality that, in just a few minutes, her life would change forever. She would become the wife of the man beside her. A man she barely knew.
“After that, I will ask you to recite your vows. This is not just a formality—it is a symbol of the commitment and responsibilities you will share,” the registrar explained before pausing, allowing them time to absorb his words.
Harry finally spoke, his voice deep and steady. “And after that?”
“Then, you will sign the official marriage documents, witnessed by the witnesses you have chosen. With your signatures, your marriage will be legally binding. Finally, I will validate your marriage and issue an official document as proof of your union.”
The registrar explained efficiently, his gaze shifting between Arabella and Harry.
Arabella felt like she was trapped in an unending nightmare. But she knew there was no turning back. Circumstances had led her here, and the only thing she could do was move forward. Escape was not an option.
The registrar closed his book momentarily. “Before we begin, do either of you have any questions?”
Silence. Neither of them spoke.
After a long pause, Arabella finally inhaled deeply and said, “No. Let’s begin.”
Harry gave a small nod. They had no choice but to go through with this.
The wedding ceremony proceeded. And just like that, Arabella and Harry were now legally husband and wife.
Once the documents were finalized, Harry took Arabella straight to his house.
Inside the car, Harry Anderson sat beside her in silence. He wore a black mask that concealed almost his entire face, leaving only his sharp, unreadable eyes visible. A truly mysterious man.
The drive to Harry’s mansion felt unbearably long. Arabella watched the raindrops trickling down the car window, her mind drifting back to the betrayal of her lover and half-sister. How foolish she had been to trust them. How foolish she was to be bound in a marriage she never wanted.
Harry remained quiet. He showed no interest in her, as if he was merely fulfilling an obligation.
A marriage like this? Arabella struggled to calm the storm of emotions within her.
“Get out.”
Harry’s cold voice snapped Arabella out of her thoughts.
They had arrived at his mansion. A wave of unease crept into Arabella’s heart.
She recalled the chain of events that had led her to this moment. How, in her lowest state, she had agreed to marry a man she didn’t know. How she had stood in front of a mirror just hours ago, wearing a simple dress with a shattered heart. How her wedding had taken place without the presence of her family.
Just a day ago, Arabella had been drowning in emotions after uncovering Mike and Helena’s betrayal.
“So this is what you’ve been doing behind my back?” Arabella’s voice trembled with a mix of rage and unbearable pain.
“Arabella, I can explain—” Mike stepped closer, but she took a step back, refusing to let him touch her. She would never allow a coward like him to lay a hand on her again.
“Explain what? That you cheated on me with my own sister?!” Her eyes blazed, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to breathe through the pain.
Helena stood frozen, her face pale. “Bella, I don’t know what to say.”
Arabella let out a bitter laugh. “Of course. Betrayers never have the right words to justify their sins.”
Mike ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I never meant to hurt you, Bella.”
Arabella had gone to see Mike that day to talk about the arranged marriage her father had forced upon her. She had planned to confide in him, to seek his comfort.
Her father, Edwin, was drowning in financial troubles. The coffee business he managed was on the brink of collapse, and he was deep in debt to banks and loan sharks. Without her consent, he had arranged for her to marry a man named Harry Anderson—a ruthless, paralyzed millionaire who had agreed to clear his debts in exchange for her hand in marriage.
As if her father’s betrayal wasn’t enough, the man she had loved and trusted had also stabbed her in the back—with her own sister, no less.
And now, here she was. Standing in front of the massive mansion that would be her new home. Beside a man who didn’t even want her there.
“Stop standing there.”
Arabella snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Harry. He had already entered the house without waiting for her—his newly wedded wife.
She let out a quiet sigh, watching as his wheelchair rolled further inside.
Her steps were heavy, but she had no home to return to.
This mansion marked the beginning of her new life.
Whether it would bring her happiness or more suffering remained unknown.
Morning greeted the Anderson mansion with soft sunlight filtering through the white curtains of the dining room. The air was filled with the comforting aroma of black coffee, warm toast, and melted butter. At the long, dark-wood table, three people sat quietly, enjoying a rare moment of peaceful breakfast.At the head of the table sat Hans Anderson, the family patriarch. Though age was evident in the deep lines of his face and the nearly all-white hair, his eyes still carried the sharpness of a man who had seen too much and forgotten too little. Beside him, Arabella spooned her oatmeal with strawberries, occasionally stealing glances at Harry, who was focused on the financial reports displayed on his tablet.“These moments… I’ve missed them,” Hans murmured between sips of coffee. “Simple family breakfasts. Underrated, yet priceless.”Harry offered a small nod. Arabella smiled politely and asked gently, “How’s your heart this morning, Grandpa? Feeling any better?”“Much better, now tha
Night fell slowly, blanketing the Anderson mansion in a hush of quiet stillness. Outside, the only sound was the clever whisper of the wind whistling through the trees.Inside the master bedroom, a soft amber glow from the night lamp warmed the space. Arabella had just stepped out of the bathroom, her hair still damp, her pastel pajama clinging lightly to her frame. Harry sat on the edge of the bed, dressed in a gray t-shirt and loose lounge pants, his eyes fixed on the tablet in his hand—but his mind was clearly elsewhere.“I didn’t vanish,” Arabella said suddenly, towel-drying her hair. “All parts accounted for, breath intact… and I even scored some discount strawberries.”Harry glanced at her, face unreadable as always. But something in the way he looked at his wife betrayed a weight that lingered on his mind.“It’s not about the market, Bella,” he murmured. “You were nearly in danger. And you had no idea how close that man was.”Arabella sat on the bed and reached for her hand cre
Adam ended the call with a single tap. He slipped his phone back into the pocket of his leather jacket, scanning his surroundings. The morning market was busy, but not crowded enough to make movement difficult.He walked slowly, trailing Arabella from a distance. Weaving through narrow aisles between flower stalls and vegetable carts, he made sure to keep a safe gap. His face remained hidden beneath a mask and a cap.Just a few meters ahead, Arabella chuckled as she haggled over a box of strawberries. Her face looked warm, innocent, and radiant—completely opposite to the dark intent burning in Adam’s chest.“She doesn’t even realize how close danger is,” he muttered coldly.Mrs. Mia glanced behind them, her gaze uneasy. But Adam quickly ducked, pretending to inspect a spice vendor’s cart.“We should go home after this, Mrs. Mia,” Arabella said softly, trying to ease her housekeeper’s nerves.Before they could return to the car, a loud commotion erupted from the market entrance.A moto
Inside a rented black sedan hidden behind an old building near the harbor district, Adam Anderson lit a cigarette with trembling fingers. His brown eyes stared blankly through the windshield, but his mind was in utter chaos.“Damn you, Harry…” he muttered under his breath, barely audible. “I should’ve taken you and Grandpa Hans down with me.”His phone vibrated suddenly. “Unknown” flashed on the screen. Adam picked it up immediately.“Is it done?” His voice was cold.“I’ve got your passport ready,” came the voice of a man on the other end. “But the cops are starting to post your face at the airport. You’ll need to escape by land.”“I can help you through a safer route, but you need to leave tonight.”Adam cursed under his breath. “I need time. I can’t leave the city yet... not until—”“Are you crazy? The police already spread your face everywhere. Anderson Corp has officially filed a report. If you stay, you’ll be in cuffs by morning,” the voice snapped. “You’ve been exposed—embezzlin
That night — Arabella and Harry’s BalconyThe night wind blew gently, carrying the subtle scent of Arabella’s perfume as she sat curled up on the balcony sofa with a mug of hot chocolate in her hand.“I didn’t expect you to show up earlier,” she murmured, sipping slowly.Harry leaned beside her, his eyes warm. “I figured you needed someone to protect you.”“I needed a partner. And turns out... you’re both.” Her smile was small, but genuine.Harry inched closer, letting his shoulder touch hers. “Do you ever regret getting involved in this world, Bella? A world full of poison and twisted business games?”Arabella shook her head. “I don’t regret it. Because in this world... I found you.”He let out a soft chuckle. “So, you love me for my job now? You’re getting good at this sweet talk thing.”“No.” Arabella playfully pinched his waist. “I love you... because you always know when to be a shield, and when to just stand beside me like a wall.”Harry turned to her, staring for a long moment,
Harry took a deep breath, as if gathering courage from the tightness in his chest. His eyes lingered on Arabella’s face, pausing there for a moment.“I want to terminate our marriage contract,” he said, his voice low and heavy.Arabella froze.Her pupils dilated, as if she'd just heard a sentence she never expected to receive that night.“What do you mean?” she whispered, her voice catching in her throat. Her chest began to warm—not from a hug or a touch—but from a creeping fear that slipped in uninvited.Harry lowered his gaze. His cold fingers gently brushed the back of her hand. “I don’t want there to be a contract between us anymore,” he continued. “I want... something real. A real marriage. No conditions. No boundaries.”Arabella still didn’t speak. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She stared at Harry’s face, searching for signs of a lie or a cruel joke. But there were none. His face was sincere—more vulnerable than she'd ever seen it.“Harry…” Arabella’s voice wa
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